Defective latch needle detector and control network therefor

Claim 2

Means for detecting a defective latch needle condition in a knitting machine having a rotary needle cylinder carrying a plurality of latch needles, comprising a. a feeler adapted to be mounted in the path of movement of said needles so as to be displaced by a latch needle in said defective condition, b. said feeler being insulatingly carried by a flexible member whereby displacement of said feeler by a latch needle in defective condition causes flexing of said flexible member, c. a core mounted in insulated normally spaced relation with said flexible member and adapted to be electrically contacted thereby upon flexing of said flexible member in response to displacement of said feeler, d. said core and flexible member cooperating to define a normally open electrical switch which is closed in response to displacement of said feeler by a closed latch, and e. electrical control means electrically connected to said switch and operative, in response to the closing of said switch, to de-energize the drive means for said knitting machine.

Claim 3

The combination according to claim 1, wherein said flexible member is a coil spring and said feeler is carried by a plug closing one end of said coil spring.

Claim 4

The combination according to claim 1, wherein there is further provided a lamp adapted to be energized by said electrical control means in response to the closing of said switch.

Claim 5

The combination according to claim 1, wherein said electrical control means comprise a. a gate controlled electronic device having the gate circuit thereof in series with said switch, said device and switch being supplied by a power source whereby the closing of said switch provides current flow through said gate circuit thereby rendering said device conductive, and b. means responsive to said electronic device being conductive for de-energizing the drive means of said knitting machine.

Claim 6

The combination according to claim 3, wherein said electrical control means comprise a. a gate controlled electronic device having the gate circuit thereof in series with said switch, said electronic device and switch being supplied by a power source whereby the closing of said switch provides current flow through said gate circuit thereby rendering said electronic device conductive, and b. means responsive to said electronic device being conductive for de-energizing the drive means of said knitting machine.

Claim 7

Means for detecting a defective latch needle condition in a knitting machine having a rotary needle cylinder carrying a plurality of latch needles, comprising a. a tubular housing, b. a coil spring insulatingly mounted in said housing and extending outwardly of one end thereof, c. a feeler insulatingly carried by said spring and disposed in the path of movement of said needles so as to be displaced by a latch needle in said defective condition, d. a core mounted in insulated normally spaced relation within said coil and adapted to be electrically contacted thereby upon flexing of said coil in response to displacement of said feeler, e. said core and coil cooperating to define a normally open electrical switch which is closed in response to displacement of said feeler by a closed latch, f. a lamp carried in said housing adjacent the other end thereof, and g. electrical control means electrically connected to said switch and operative, in response to the closing of said switch, to de-energize drive means for said knitting machine and to energize said lamp.

Claim 8

Means for detecting a defective latch needle condition in a knitting machine having a rotary needle cylinder carrying a plurality of latch needles, comprising a. a tubular housing, b. a coil spring insulatingly mounted in said housing and extending outwardly of one end thereof, c. a feeler insulatingly carried by said spring and disposed in the path of movement of said needles so as to be displaced by a latch needle in said defective condition, d. a core mounted in insulated normally spaced relation within said coil and adapted to be electrically contacted thereby upon flexing of said coil in response to displacement of said feeler, e. said core and coil cooperating to define a normally open electrical switch which is closed in response to displacement of said feeler by a closed latch, f. a lamp carried in said housing adjacent the other end thereof, and g. electrical control means electrically connected to said switch and operative, in response to the closing of said switch, to de-energize drive means for said knitting machine and to energize said lamp.

Claim 9

The combination according to claim 6, wherein there is further provided a. a lens for said lamp mounted in said housing, and b. cooperating means on said lens and said housing normally biased into engagement with each other to define a normally closed reset switch.

Claim 10

The combination according to claim 6, wherein said electrical control means comprise a. a gate controlled electronic device having the gate circuit thereof in series with said switch, said electronic device and switch being supplied by a power source whereby the closing of said switch provides current flow through said gate circuit thereby rendering said electronic device conductive, and b. means responsive to said electronic device being conductive for de-energizing the drive means of said knitting machine.

Claim 11

The combination according to claim 7, wherein said electrical control means comprise a. a gate controlled electronic device having the gate circuit thereof in series with said switch, said electronic device and switch being supplied by a power source whereby the closing of said switch provides current flow through said gate circuit thereby rendering said electronic device conductive, and b. means responsive to said electronic device being conductive for de-energizing the drive means of said knitting machine.

Claim 12

Means for detecting a defective latch needle condition in a knitting machine having a rotary needle cylinder carrying a plurality of latch needles, comprising a. a tubular housing, b. a coil spring insulatingly mounted in said housing and extending outwardly of one end thereof, c. a Feeler insulatingly carried by said spring and disposed in the path of movement of said needles when closed so as to be displaced by a latch needle in said defective condition, d. a core mounted in insulated normally spaced relation within said coil and adapted to be electrically contacted thereby upon flexing of said coil in response to displacement of said feeler, e. said core and coil cooperating to define a normally open electrical switch which is closed in response to displacement of said feeler by a closed latch, f. a lamp carried in said housing adjacent the other end thereof, g. said housing defining a compartment therein intermediate said ends thereof, and h. electrical control means disposed in said compartment and connected to said switch and said lamp, said electrical control means being operative, in response to the closing of said switch, to de-energize the drive means for said knitting machine and to energize said lamp.

Claim 13

Means for detecting a defective latch needle condition in a knitting machine having a rotary needle cylinder carrying a plurality of latch needles, comprising a. a tubular housing, b. a coil spring insulatingly mounted in said housing and extending outwardly of one end thereof, c. a Feeler insulatingly carried by said spring and disposed in the path of movement of said needles when closed so as to be displaced by a latch needle in said defective condition, d. a core mounted in insulated normally spaced relation within said coil and adapted to be electrically contacted thereby upon flexing of said coil in response to displacement of said feeler, e. said core and coil cooperating to define a normally open electrical switch which is closed in response to displacement of said feeler by a closed latch, f. a lamp carried in said housing adjacent the other end thereof, g. said housing defining a compartment therein intermediate said ends thereof, and h. electrical control means disposed in said compartment and connected to said switch and said lamp, said electrical control means being operative, in response to the closing of said switch, to de-energize the drive means for said knitting machine and to energize said lamp.

Claim 14

The combination according to claim 10, wherein there is further provided a. a lens for said lamp mounted in said housing, and b. cooperating means on said lens and said housing normally biased into engagement with each other to define a normally closed reset switch.

Claim 15

The combination according to claim 11, wherein said electrical control means comprise a. a gate controlled electronic device having the gate circuit thereof in series with said switch, said electronic device and switch being supplied by a power source whereby the closing of said switch provides current flow through said gate circuit thereby rendering said electronic device conductive, and b. means responsive to said electronic device being conductive for de-energizing the drive means of said knitting machine.

Claim 16

The combination according to claim 7, wherein said cooperating means comprise a reset ring secured to the rim of the lens, an end ring secured to said housing, and a spring acting against said lens and urging said reset ring into engagement with said end ring.

Claim 17

The combination according to claim 13, wherein said electrical control means comprise a. a gate controlled electronic device having the gate circuit thereof in series with said switch, said electronic device and switch being supplied by a power source whereby the closing of said switch provides current flow through said gate circuit thereby rendering said electronic device conductive, and b. means responsive to said electronic device being conductive for de-energizing the drive means of said knitting machine.

Claim 18

The combination according to claim 1, wherein said flexible member and said core are magnetically retained in engagement following said electrical contact upon flexing of said flexible member.

Claim 19

A control network for a knitting machine provided with a plurality of fault detecting circuits in electrical parallel relation to each other, with each circuit including a switch closed upon the detection of a fault and a lamp shunted by a resistance, comprising a. a power source connected to said parallel circuits and providing current flow to any of said circuits in response to the closing of the associated switch, thereby energizing the associated lamp, b. diode means interposed between said power source and said parallel circuits whereby the current flow therethrough is equal to the sum of current flow through said fault detecting circuits, said diode means providing a substantially constant voltage drop thereacross independent of the amount of current flow therethrough, and c. electrical means shunting said diode means, said shunting means receiving substantially constant current flow independently of the current flow through said diode means, d. said shunting means being operative, when energized by the current flow therethrough, to cause de-energization of the drive means for said knitting machine.

Claim 20

A control network for a knitting machine provided with a plurality of fault detecting circuits in electrical parallel relation to each other, with each circuit including a switch closed upon the detection of a fault and a lamp shunted by a resistance, comprising a. a power source connected to said parallel circuits and providing current flow to any of said circuits in response to the closing of the associated switch, thereby energizing the associated lamp, b. diode means interposed between said power source and said parallel circuits whereby the current flow therethrough is equal to the sum of current flow through said fault detecting circuits, said diode means providing a substantially constant voltage drop thereacross independent of the amount of current flow therethrough, and c. electrical means shunting said diode means, said shunting means receiving substantially constant current flow independently of the current flow through said diode means, d. said shunting means being operative, when energized by the current flow therethrough, to cause de-energization of the drive means for said knitting machine.

Claim 21

A control network according to claim 16, wherein said electrical shunting means comprise a relaY which, when energized, causes de-energization of the drive means for the knitting machine.

Claim 22

A control network according to claim 16, wherein said electrical shunting means comprise the grid circuit of a first electronic amplifier, whereby current flow therethrough renders said first electronic amplifier conductive, and wherein there is further provided a. a normally conductive second electronic amplifier electrically related to said first electronic amplifier so that said second electronic amplifier becomes non-conductive when said first electronic amplifier is conductive, b. a relay in series with said second electronic amplifier and energized when said second electronic amplifier is conductive, said relay being operative, when de-energized, to interrupt the energization of the drive means for the knitting machine, whereby the closing of any one of said switches causes current flow through the grid circuit of said first electronic amplifier, rendering said first amplifier conductive and said second amplifier non-conductive, thereby causing de-energization of said relay and interruption of the drive means for the knitting machine.

Claim 23

Means for detecting a defective latch needle condition in a knitting machine having a rotary needle cylinder carrying a plurality of latch needles, comprising a. a feeler adapted to be mounted in the path of movement of said needles so as to be displaced by a latch needle in said defective condition, b. said feeler being insulatingly carried by a flexible member whereby displacement of said feeler by a latch needle in defective condition causes flexing of said flexible member, c. a core mounted in insulated normally spaced relation with said flexible member and adapted to be electrically contacted thereby upon flexing of said flexible member in response to displacement of said feeler, d. said core and flexible member cooperating to define a normally open electrical switch which is closed in response to displacement of said feeler by a closed latch, e. a lamp shunted by a resistance, said lamp and switch defining a fault detecting circuit, f. a power source connected to said fault detecting circuit and providing current flow therethrough in response to the closing of said switch, thereby energizing said lamp, g. diode means interposed between said power source and said fault detecting circuit, said diode means providing a substantially constant voltage drop thereacross independent of the amount of current flow therethrough, and h. electrical means shunting said diode means, said shunting means receiving substantially constant current flow independently of the current flow through said diode means, i. said shunting means being operative, when energized by the current flow therethrough, to cause de-energization of the drive means for said knitting machine.

Claim 24

Means for detecting a defective latch needle condition in a knitting machine having a rotary needle cylinder carrying a plurality of latch needles, comprising a. a feeler adapted to be mounted in the path of movement of said needles so as to be displaced by a latch needle in said defective condition, b. said feeler being insulatingly carried by a flexible member whereby displacement of said feeler by a latch needle in defective condition causes flexing of said flexible member, c. a core mounted in insulated normally spaced relation with said flexible member and adapted to be electrically contacted thereby upon flexing of said flexible member in response to displacement of said feeler, d. said core and flexible member cooperating to define a normally open electrical switch which is closed in response to displacement of said feeler by a closed latch, e. a lamp shunted by a resistance, said lamp and switch defining a fault detecting circuit, f. a power source connected to said fault detecting circuit and providing current flow therethrough in response to the closing of said switch, thereby energizing said lamp, g. diode means interposed between said power source and said fault detecting circuit, said diode means providing a substantially constant voltage drop thereacross independent of the amount of current flow therethrough, and h. electrical means shunting said diode means, said shunting means receiving substantially constant current flow independently of the current flow through said diode means, i. said shunting means being operative, when energized by the current flow therethrough, to cause de-energization of the drive means for said knitting machine.

Claim 25

The combination according to claim 19, wherein said electrical shunting means comprise a relay which, when energized, causes de-energization of the drive means for the knitting machine.

Claim 26

The combination according to claim 19, wherein said electrical shunting means comprise the grid circuit of a first electronic amplifier, whereby current flow therethrough renders said first electronic amplifier conductive, and wherein there is further provided a. a normally conductive second electronic amplifier electrically related to said first electronic amplifier so that said second electronic amplifier becomes non-conductive when said first electronic amplifier is conductive, b. a relay in series with said second electronic amplifier and energized when said second electronic amplifier is conductive, said relay being operative, when de-energized, to interrupt the energization of the drive means for the knitting machine, whereby the closing of any one of said switches causes current flow through the grid circuit of said first electronic amplifier, rendering said first amplifier conductive and said second amplifiEr non-conductive, thereby causing de-energization of said relay and interruption of the drive means for the knitting machine.

Claim 27

A control network for a knitting machine provided with two sets of fault detecting circuits, each of which sets comprises a plurality of fault detecting circuits in parallel relation to each other, with each circuit including a switch closed upon the detection of a fault and a lamp shunted by a resistance, comprising a. a power source connected to said sets and providing current flow to any of said circuits in response to the closing of the associated switch, thereby energizing the associated lamp, b. first diode means interposed between said power source and the first of said sets whereby the current flow therethrough is equal to the sum of current flow through the fault detecting circuits in said first set, said first diode means providing a substantially constant voltage drop thereacross independent of the amount of current flow therethrough, c. second diode means interposed between said power source and the second of said sets whereby the current flow therethrough is equal to the sum of current flow through the fault detecting circuits in said second set, said second diode means providing a substantially constant voltage drop thereacross independent of the amount of current flow therethrough, d. first and second electrical means shunting, respectively, said first and second diode means, said shunting means receiving substantially constant current flow independently of the current flow through the associated diode means, e. each of said shunting means being operative, when energized by the current flow therethrough, to cause de-energization of the drive means for said knitting machine.

Claim 28

A control network for a knitting machine provided with two sets of fault detecting circuits, each of which sets comprises a plurality of fault detecting circuits in parallel relation to each other, with each circuit including a switch closed upon the detection of a fault and a lamp shunted by a resistance, comprising a. a power source connected to said sets and providing current flow to any of said circuits in response to the closing of the associated switch, thereby energizing the associated lamp, b. first diode means interposed between said power source and the first of said sets whereby the current flow therethrough is equal to the sum of current flow through the fault detecting circuits in said first set, said first diode means providing a substantially constant voltage drop thereacross independent of the amount of current flow therethrough, c. second diode means interposed between said power source and the second of said sets whereby the current flow therethrough is equal to the sum of current flow through the fault detecting circuits in said second set, said second diode means providing a substantially constant voltage drop thereacross independent of the amount of current flow therethrough, d. first and second electrical means shunting, respectively, said first and second diode means, said shunting means receiving substantially constant current flow independently of the current flow through the associated diode means, e. each of said shunting means being operative, when energized by the current flow therethrough, to cause de-energization of the drive means for said knitting machine.

Claim 29

A control network according to claim 22, wherein said first electrical shunting means comprise the grid circuit of a first electronic amplifier, whereby current flow therethrough renders said first electronic amplifier conductive and wherein said second electrical shunting means comprise the grid circuit of a second electronic amplifier, whereby current flow therethrough renders said second electronic amplifier conductive, and wherein there is further provided a. a normally conductive third electronic amplifier electrically related to said first electronic amplifier so that said third electronic amplifier becomes non-conductive when said first electronic amplifier is conductive, b. a normally conductive fourth electronic amplifier electrically related to said second electronic amplifier so that said fourth electronic amplifier becomes non-conductive when said second electronic amplifier is conductive, c. a relay in series with said second and fourth electronic amplifiers whereby it is energized only when both said second and fourth electronic amplifiers are conductive, said relay being operative, when de-energized, to interrupt the energization of the drive means for the knitting machine. whereby the closing of any of the switches in the first set of fault detecting circuits causes current flow through the grid circuit of said first electronic amplifier, rendering said first amplifier conductive and said third amplifier non-conductive, thereby causing de-energization of said relay and interruption of the drive means for the knitting machine, and whereby the closing of any of the switches in the second set of fault detecting circuits causes current flow through the grid circuit of said second electronic amplifier, rendering said second amplifier conductive and said fourth amplifier non-conductive, thereby causing de-energization of said relay and interruption of the drive means for the knitting machine.